Aaron Schock: Wipe Out!

For years the Internet has gobbled up all the "gay" gossip tidbits surrounding Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois. His surfing photos. His pink gingham shirts. His cover of Men's Fitness. Then there was his expensive tastes. He likes to charter private planes and stays five-star resorts in Aspen, checks in at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, and prefers the Four Seasons in San Francisco. (When in Miami Beach, he's sampled the Delano, Fontainebleau, and the exclusive Soho Beach House.)

Then there was all the talk about the cute, blond-highlighted personal photographer, Jonathon Link, who he employs and even gave a raise to while others in his office had their salaries cut.

Then, last month he nearly broke the Internet when it was discovered that he had accepted gifts when redesigning his office to resemble a Downton Abbey set. Wonkette called it the "Gayest Ethics Violation Ever." Despite all the homophobic overtones of the many, many posts written about the gayness of all this (since Schock is believed to be working in a glass closet on Capitol Hill), it did stir up people's curiosity.

And now, well, it seems it's all caught up to him. Investigators from the Office of Congressional Ethics began contacting Schock's associates in closed-door sessions. Rep. Schock resigned today, issuing this statement:

"Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31," Schock said in a statement. "I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. I have given them my all over the last six years. I have traveled to all corners of the District to meet with the people I've been fortunate to be able to call my friends and neighbors."

"But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself. I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."

Rep. Aaron Schock with Jonathon Link (far right).